Electronic device including actuator and method of controlling same for providing tactile output

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling an electronic device includes detecting receipt of an input, determining a response number in response to receipt of the input, and actuating an actuator of the electronic device a discrete integer number of times based on the response number.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling an electronicdevice including an actuator for providing tactile output.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gainedwidespread use and may provide a variety of functions including, forexample, telephonic, electronic text messaging and other personalinformation manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronicdevices can include several types of devices including mobile stationssuch as simple cellular phones, smart phones, Personal DigitalAssistants (PDAs) in various forms, and peripheral devices forcommunicating with PDAs.

Devices such as PDAs or smart phones are generally intended for handhelduse and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable forportability. Peripheral devices such as watches or other peripheraldevices that may communicate with PDAs or other electronic devices aredesirable for their small overall size and convenience.

Improvements in control of such electronic devices are desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of components including internalcomponents of a portable electronic device according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of a portable electronic device;

FIG. 3 is a back view of an example of a portable electronic device;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an example actuator assembly of theportable electronic device in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is another exploded view of the example actuator assembly of theportable electronic device;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view at an edge of the actuator assembly,when the actuator is not actuated;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view at a center of the actuator assembly,when the actuator is not actuated;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view at an edge of the actuator assembly,when the actuator is actuated;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view at center of the actuator assembly,when the actuator is actuated;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method ofcontrolling a portable electronic device;

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of components of a portableelectronic device in short-range communication with a second electronicdevice, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14 illustrate example screen shots of thedisplay of the second electronic device during configuring the portableelectronic device; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method ofcontrolling a portable electronic device utilizing a second electronicdevice, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes a method of controlling an electronic device.The method includes detecting receipt of an input, determining aresponse number in response to receipt of the input, and actuating anactuator of the electronic device a discrete integer number of timesbased on the response number.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein.However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat the example embodiments described herein may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not toobscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the descriptionis not to be considered as limited to the scope of the exampleembodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of components including internalcomponents of one example of a portable electronic device. The portableelectronic device 100, which may be in the form of, for example, awatch, includes multiple components such as a processor 102 thatcontrols the operations of the portable electronic device 100.Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through a communication subsystem 104. Data received by theportable electronic device 100 is decompressed and decrypted by adecoder 106. The communication subsystem 104 receives messages from andsends messages to a wireless network 150. The wireless network 150 maybe any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to,data-centric wireless networks, voice-centric wireless networks, anddual-mode networks that support both voice and data communications overthe same physical base stations. The portable electronic device 100 is abattery-powered device and includes a power source 142 such as arechargeable battery or batteries.

The processor 102 also interacts with additional subsystems such as aRandom Access Memory (RAM) 108, memory 110, buttons 112, sensors 114, adisplay 116, an actuator 120, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem124, a data port 126, a speaker 128, a microphone 130, short-rangecommunications 132 and other device subsystems 134. User interactionwith the graphical user interface of the portable electronic device 100is performed through the buttons 112 and the sensors 114. The processor102 may interact with the actuator 120 through a controller 122. Theprocessor 102 may interact with the sensors 114 via an electroniccontroller. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images,icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on a portableelectronic device, is displayed on the display 116 via the processor102.

To identify a subscriber for network access according to the presentembodiment, the portable electronic device 100 may use a SubscriberIdentity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card forcommunication with a network such as the wireless network 150.Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed intomemory 110.

The portable electronic device 100 includes an operating system 146 andsoftware programs or components 148 that are executed by the processor102 and are typically stored in a persistent, updatable store such asmemory 110. Additional applications or programs may be loaded onto theportable electronic device 100 through the wireless network 150, theauxiliary I/O subsystem 124, the data port 126, the short-rangecommunications subsystem 132, or any other suitable subsystem 134.

In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, orweb page download is processed by the communication subsystem 104 andinput to the processor 102. The processor 102 then processes thereceived signal for output to the display 112 or alternatively to theauxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A subscriber may also compose data items,such as e-mail messages, for example, which may be transmitted over thewireless network 150 through the communication subsystem 104. For voicecommunications, the overall operation of the portable electronic device100 is similar. The speaker 128 outputs audible information convertedfrom electrical signals, and the microphone 130 converts audibleinformation into electrical signals for processing.

The sensors 114 may be any suitable sensors such as capacitive sensorsincluding a capacitive sensor layer or layers of suitable material suchas indium tin oxide (ITO). The sensors 114 may be located on a peripheryof the face of the portable electronic device 100, as illustrated in thefront view of the portable electronic device shown in FIG. 2. One ormore touches, on the touch sensors, also known as touch contacts ortouch events, may be detected. A location of the touch may be determinedbased on the sensor at which the touch is detected. A signal is providedto the controller 116 in response to detection of a touch. A touch maybe detected from any suitable object, such as a finger or thumb. Theelectronic controller, through which the sensors interact with theprocessor 102, and/or the processor 102 may detect a touch and multiplesimultaneous touches may be detected.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a front view and back view of theportable electronic device 100, which in the present embodiment is inthe shape of a watch and is normally worn at or near the wrist of auser, are shown. The portable electronic device 100 includes a housing202 that houses the internal components shown and described above withreference to FIG. 1. The housing 202 includes a front frame 204 and aback 206, joined by sidewalls that extend between the front frame 204and the back 206. The housing 202 may be made of any suitable materialsuch as, for example, a high density plastic. The front frame 204 framesthe display 116 and the sensors 114 (shown in FIG. 1) are distributed onor around the front frame 204.

In the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, four buttons 112 extend fromtwo opposing sidewalls, although any suitable number of buttons may beutilized. Alternatively, the portable electronic device 100 may bewithout such buttons.

The back 206 of the portable electronic device 100 in the example shownin FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, includes an opening through which a cover 302 ofan actuator assembly 300 is exposed. In the present example, the openingis circular and the actuator assembly 300 is disposed in the openingsuch that an outer surface of a cover of the actuator assembly 300, isgenerally flush with the remainder of the back 206 of the portableelectronic device 100. Alternatively, the cover may extend across theentire back of the portable electronic device 100 rather than at anopening in the back.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show exploded perspective views of an example of theactuator assembly 300, including the cover 302, the actuator 120, and abase 402. As described, the cover 302 is exposed at the back 206 of thehousing 202 (shown in FIG. 3) of the portable electronic device 100. Thecover 302 is supported by and coupled to the base 402. The actuator 120is disposed between the base 402 and the cover 302.

The cover 302 is generally planar on the outer surface 404, which isexposed at the back 206 of the housing 202 (shown in FIG. 3).Alternatively, the cover 302 is shaped, for example, to fit or curvearound a wrist. The inner surface 406 is shaped to provide support andflexibility. The inner surface 406 of the cover 302 includes aperipheral rim 408 that is thick to provide support for a flexiblemembrane 410 which is centered within and coaxial with the rim 408. Therim 408 includes a groove 412 that extends around the rim 408 to matewith a cylindrical projection from the base 402. A plurality of spacedapart raised lips 414 on the inner surface 406, extend around the marginof the membrane 410. A cylindrical protrusion 416 extends from a centerof the membrane 410 on the inner surface 406. The membrane 410 is thincompared to the rim 408, the raised lips 414 and the cylindricalprotrusion 416, to facilitate elastic deformation of the membrane 410,for example, when a force is imparted to the cylindrical protrusion 416.The cover 302 is greater in thickness at the cylindrical protrusion 416than at the remainder of the membrane 410 to provide a reinforced areaat which the actuator strikes the cover 302.

The base 402 is generally planar on an outer surface 420, on an oppositeside of the base 402 as the cover 302. The inner surface 422 includes aperipheral rim 424 that includes a tongue 426 that protrudes from andextends around an interior edge of the peripheral rim 424 . The tongue426 is sized and shaped to mate with the groove 412 of the cover 302. Aplurality of spaced apart teeth 428 extend around the margin of a tray430 which is centered within a coaxial with the rim 424. The teeth 428are sized, shaped, and located to cooperate with the raised lips 414 ofthe cover 302 and spaced therefrom, to clamp the actuator 120therebetween. The base 402 is sized to support the actuator 120 and thecover 302, and is supported within the housing 202 of the portableelectronic device 100. Alternatively, the base 402 may be incorporatedinto the housing.

The actuator 120 includes a piezoelectric disk 440 such as a PZT ceramicdisk adhered to a metal substrate 442 of larger diameter than thepiezoelectric disk 440 for bending when the piezoelectric disk 440contracts diametrically as a result of build up of charge across thepiezoelectric disk 440. The actuator 120 is electrically connected to apiezo driver that communicates with the controller 122. The controller122 may be a microcontroller that communicates with the processor 102.Alternatively, the processor 102 may control the actuator 120. Thecontroller 122 controls the piezo driver that controls thecurrent/voltage to the piezoelectric disk 440 of the actuator 120. Whenthe charge is reduced by a discharge current/voltage, the actuator 120returns to the state in which the actuator is not actuated, i.e., theactuator 120 is not bent.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which show partial sectionalviews at an edge of the example of the actuator assembly 300 and acenter of the actuator assembly 300, respectively. The membrane 410 isspaced from the base 402. The metal substrate 442 of the actuator 120 isdisposed between the teeth 428 of the base 402 and the raised lips 414of the cover 302 such that the actuator is spaced from the membrane 410when the actuator 120 is not actuated, as illustrated in FIG. 7.Referring now to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, which show partial sectional viewsof one side of the actuator assembly 300 and a center of the actuatorassembly 300, respectively, when the actuator 120 is actuated. Thecurrent/voltage to the actuator 120 is controlled by the controller toincrease the charge across the piezoelectric disk 440 of the actuator120 and thereby actuate the actuator 120 over a very short period oftime. The actuator 120 bends when the charge across the piezoelectricdisk increases and the actuator 120 strikes the cylindrical protrusion416 in the center of the membrane 410.

A flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the portable electronicdevice 100 is shown in FIG. 10. The method may be carried out bysoftware executed, for example, by the processor 102 in communicationwith the controller of the actuator 120. Coding of software for carryingout such a method is within the scope of a person of ordinary skill inthe art given the present description. The method may contain additionalor fewer processes than shown and/or described.

Input is detected at 1002. The input may be any suitable input such as,for example, a touch detected at the sensors 114. The touch may be anysuitable touch including, for example, a touch on one sensor 114, atouch on multiple sensors 114, or a gesture on the sensors 114. Theinput received may be matched to a query at 1004. The query may be aquery for any suitable information such as, the number of unopenedelectronic messages received, the number of new messages received,whether or not a calendar event record occurs within a time period, thenumber of calendar event records for a time period, a number of receivedphone calls, a number of minutes until the next scheduled calendarevent, distance to a destination utilizing, for example, GPS orshort-range communications 132 with a second electronic device, anindication of battery life remaining, for example, in percentage or anumber of bars, strength of network connection in number of bars, a timeof day, or any other suitable information. A single query may beassociated with input or the query may be determined utilizing, forexample, a look-up table to determine an associated query. Response datais obtained at 1006. The response data may be obtained from the portableelectronic device 100 or may be obtained from a second electronicdevice, for example, in wireless communication with the portableelectronic device 100.

When the response data, which in this example, is a number, is zero at1008, a response output may optionally be provided at 1016. The responseoutput may be, for example, vibration utilizing, for example, theactuator 120 or utilizing a vibration motor. The response outputprovides feedback that the input is received and differs from actuationof the actuator 120 a discrete number of times to reduce the chance ofconfusion between an output indicating zero and an output indicating anumber that is greater than zero. For example, the vibration may belonger in duration than actuation of the actuator to strike the membraneto provide distinct output.

When the response number is greater than zero, the process continues at1010. When the input is not maintained and therefore is no longerdetected at 1010, the process ends. When the input detected at 1002 ismaintained and therefore, still detected at 1010, the process continuesat 1012. The actuator 120 is actuated at 1012 to provide a notificationin the form of tactile output for the user. When the actuator 120 isactuated at 1012, an actuator count, which may be the number of timesthat the actuator 120 is actuated in response to the detected input, isincremented, for example, by 1. The actuator count is compared to theresponse number at 1014. When the actuator count is equal to theresponse number, the process ends. Otherwise, the process returns to1010.

The actuator 120 is thereby actuated a discrete integer number of timesbased on the response number. In this example, the actuator 120 isactuated until an actuator count, which is related to the discreteinteger number, is equal to the response number or until the input is nolonger detected. Thus, for example, the actuator 120 is actuated thediscrete integer number of times unless the touch contact with thesensors 114 is discontinued before the actuator count equals theresponse number.

When the portable electronic device 100 is worn on or near the wrist ofthe user, actuation of the actuator 120 provides tactile output in theform of, for example, a pulsation or beat, as the membrane 410 isdeflected when the actuator 120 strikes the membrane 410.

Continued reference is made to FIG. 10 to describe one example of themethod. According to the present example, a touch on the sensors 114 isdetected at 1002 when the user places a hand over the outer surface ofthe portable electronic device 100, in contact with the sensors 114. Thetouch on multiple sensors 114 is matched to a query 1004 for the numberof new electronic messages received. The number of new electronicmessages is obtained at 1006. For the purpose of this example, thenumber is 14. The response number is therefore greater than zero at 1008and the process continues at 1010. Touch contact with the sensors 114 ismaintained and the touch is still detected at 1010. The actuator 120 isactuated at 1012 and the actuator count, which in this example is thecount of the number of times that the actuator 120 is actuated inresponse to the detected input, is incremented by 1. The processcontinues until the actuator 120 is actuated 14 discrete times.

According to another example, a touch on the sensors 114 is detected at1002 when the user places a hand over the outer surface of the portableelectronic device 100, in contact with the sensors 114. The touch onmultiple sensors 114 is matched to a query 1004 for the number of newelectronic messages received. The number of new electronic messages isobtained at 1006. For the purpose of this example, the number is 14. Theresponse number is therefore greater than zero at 1008 and the processcontinues at 1010. Touch contact with the sensors 114 is maintained andthe touch is still detected at 1010. The actuator 120 is actuated, forexample, by providing a single large pulse and the actuator count isincremented by 10. The actuator count is not equal to the responsenumber and the process continues at 1010. Touch contact with the sensors114 is maintained and the touch is still detected at 1010. The actuator120 is actuated, for example, by providing a single smaller pulse ofless magnitude or duration at 1012 and the actuator count is incrementedby 1. The process continues until the actuator count is 14. Thus, adifferent tactile output may be utilized to communicate differentinformation, for example, 10 or some other number. The tactile outputmay be provided in an order to convey information in increasing order ofgranularity such that valuable information may still be provided if theuser discontinues the input before all output is provided.

According to another example, a touch on the sensors 114 is detected at1002 when the user places a hand over the outer surface of the portableelectronic device 100 and in contact with the sensors 114. The touch onmultiple sensors 114 is matched to a query 1004 for the number of newelectronic messages received. The number of new electronic messages isobtained at 1006. For the purpose of this example, the number is 14. Theresponse number is therefore greater than zero at 1008 and the processcontinues at 1010. Touch contact with the sensors 114 is maintained andthe touch is still detected at 1010. The actuator 120 is actuated at1012 and the actuator count is incremented by 1. The process continuesand the actuator is repeatedly actuated. Touch contact with the sensors114 is discontinued after the actuator 120 is actuated 7 times, forexample. Actuation of the actuator 120 is discontinued. Thus, when thenumber of electronic messages received is very high, a user maydetermine that several messages are received, but may wish todiscontinue the tactile output to avoid distraction.

User control of the tactile output is provided by discontinuing theoutput when the input is no longer detected. The longer the input ismaintained, more information may be obtained. For example, when manyunread email messages are received, input that is maintained for 1second may be sufficient to provide output for the user to determinewhether or not there are any unread messages. When input is maintainedfor 1 to 3 seconds, output may be provided for the user to determinethat there are multiple unread email messages. When input is maintainedfor sufficient period of time to receive all output, the user maydetermine the approximate number of unread email messages and the exactnumber may be determined by an exact count. Thus, the length of timethat the input is maintained may determine the amount of informationconveyed by the output.

According to another example, a touch on two sensors 114 at opposingsides of the display 112 is detected at 1002 when the touches aredetected, the two touches on the face 204 at opposing sides of thedisplay 112 are matched to a query for a number of missed phone calls onthe portable electronic device. The number of missed phone calls isobtained at 1006. For the purpose of this example, the number is 2. Theresponse number is therefore greater than zero at 1008 and the processcontinues at 1010. Touch contact with the sensors 114 is maintained andthe touch is still detected at 1010. The actuator 120 is actuated at1012 and the actuator count is incremented by 1. The process continuesand the actuator is actuated a second time.

In the above-described examples, the portable electronic device 100 is aPDA and includes features and functions of a handheld electroniccommunication device. In another example embodiment, the portableelectronic device may function without a display. For example, thedevice may not have any display or, alternatively, may include an analogwatch face and components of an analog watch. In alternative examples,the portable electronic device may include more or fewer functions andfeatures.

Alternatively, the portable electronic device may include short-rangecommunication capabilities for communicating with a handheld electroniccommunication device or second electronic device but other communicationcapabilities may be absent from the device. Reference is made to FIG. 11to describe an example of a portable electronic device thatcommunicates, for example, with a handheld electronic communicationdevice. Similar reference numerals are used herein to describe similarfeatures of the portable electronic device. In this example, theportable electronic device 100 may include many of the features of theportable electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 1. In the present example,however, the portable electronic device includes short-rangecommunications 132, for example, for communicating with the handheldelectronic communication device 1100 but does not include acommunication subsystem, for example. Features such as the microphone,speaker, data port, and other features may also be absent from theportable electronic device 100. Instead, the portable electronic device100 communicates wirelessly, such as through Bluetooth™ communicationwith a second electronic device such as the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100. Thus, the portable electronic device in thepresent example may act as a peripheral device that communicates withthe handheld electronic communication device 1100 and provides tactileoutput based on information stored at the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100.

The portable electronic device 100, which may be in the form of, forexample, a watch, includes multiple components such as a processor 102that controls the operations of the portable electronic device 100. Datacommunications are performed through the short-range communications 132.The portable electronic device 100 is a battery-powered device andincludes a power source 142 such as a rechargeable battery or batteries.

The processor 102 also interacts with additional subsystems such as aRandom Access Memory (RAM) 108, memory 110, buttons 112, anaccelerometer 113, sensors 114, an optional display 116, an actuator120, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 124, and other devicesubsystems 134. User interaction with the graphical user interface ofthe portable electronic device 100 may be performed through the buttons112 and the sensors 114. The processor 102 may interact with theactuator 120 through the controller 122. The processor 102 may alsointeract with the sensors 114 via an electronic controller.

As indicated, the portable electronic device 100 may communicate withthe handheld electronic communication device 1100 which includes many ofthe features of the portable electronic device 100. In the presentexample, the handheld electronic communication device 1100 may performcommunication functions, including data and voice communications whichare performed through a communication subsystem 1104. Data received bythe portable electronic device 1100 may be decompressed and decrypted bya decoder 1106. The communication subsystem 1104 receives messages fromand sends messages to a wireless network 150. The wireless network 150may be any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to,data-centric wireless networks, voice-centric wireless networks, anddual-mode networks that support both voice and data communications overthe same physical base stations. The portable electronic device 100 is abattery-powered device and includes a power source 1142 such as arechargeable battery or batteries.

The processor 1102 of the handheld communication device 1100 alsointeracts with additional subsystems such as a Random Access Memory(RAM) 1108, memory 1110, a keyboard 1118, a display 1116, an auxiliaryinput/output (I/O) subsystem 1124, a data port 1126, a speaker 1128, amicrophone 1130, short-range communications 1132 and other devicesubsystems 1134. The short-range communications 1132 are utilized tocommunicate with the portable electronic device 100, which in thepresent example is a peripheral device.

Information such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web pagedownload is processed by the communication subsystem 1104 and input tothe processor 1102. The processor 1102 then processes the receivedsignal for output to the display 1112. Information may also be sent fromthe handheld electronic communication device 1100 to the portableelectronic device 100 and data, in the form of, for example, a query orqueries may be received at the handheld electronic communication device1100 from the portable electronic device 100.

Communication between the handheld electronic communication device 1100and the portable electronic device 100 may be initiated in any suitablemanner. For example, communication may be initiated by selection of anoption to search for peripheral devices utilizing the handheldelectronic communication device 1100 when the portable electronic device100 is within suitable range for operation of the short-rangecommunications. Communication may also be initiated by selection of anoption to listen for peripheral devices, for example. Alternatively, orin addition, communication may be initiated via the portable electronicdevice 100.

FIG. 12 through FIG. 14 show example screen shots of the display 1112 ofthe handheld electronic communication device 1100 to configure theportable electronic device 100 utilizing the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100. There are many methods of configuring theportable electronic device 100 and FIG. 12 through FIG. 14 illustrateone example only.

In the screen shot illustrated in FIG. 12, queries may be associatedwith input at the portable electronic device 100 may be set utilizing,for example, the display 116, which may be a touch-sensitive display, orutilizing an auxiliary I/O 124 such as an optical joystick, trackball,trackwheel, or other suitable device 124. The options may be accessed,for example, by selection of a query to input association option in amenu or submenu on the handheld electronic communication device 1100.Inputs that are received at the portable electronic device 100 arematched with respective queries in the table 1202 illustrated. In theexample illustrated, five inputs are associated with five respectivequeries such that each defined input is associated with a respectivequery. The five inputs include, for example, “cover watch face” 1204,which may be detected utilizing the sensors 114 on the portableelectronic device 100, “nudge” 1206, which may be detected utilizing theaccelerometer 113, “top left button” 1208, which may be detectedutilizing one of the buttons 112, “top right button” 1210, which may bedetected utilizing another of the buttons 112, and “bottom left button”1212, which may be detected utilizing yet another of the buttons 112.The associated queries include a number of unread emails 1214, a totalnumber of new notifications 1216, a number of minutes until the nextcalendar event 1218, a presence of a new instant message 1220, and anumber of power bars 1222 representing battery life. Other queries mayalso be utilized such as a number of calendar events in a time period, anumber of new messages from a social networking website, or any othersuitable query.

Both the inputs and the queries that are associated with the inputs areselectable and may be set utilizing the handheld electroniccommunication device, for example. An add query option 1224 and a deletequery option 1226 are also provided to facilitate addition and deletionof associations of queries with input.

The tactile output that is provided by the portable electronic device100 in response to the input, may also be selectable. The tactile outputincludes a setting to associate a magnitude of the output, e.g., a forceof the actuator, which, when a piezo actuator is utilized, may becontrolled by controlling the voltage across the piezo actuator, to aninteger number. In the present example, a weak output and a strongoutput may each be associated with a selectable integer, as illustratedby the pull-down menus 1228, 1230, respectively.

To add an input associated with a query, a user may select the add queryoption 1224 using a suitable selection method. In response to selectionof the add query option 1224, an input may be selected for the new queryas illustrated by the drop-down menu 1302 shown in FIG. 13 Theassociated query may also be selected as illustrated by the drop-downmenu 1304. Upon selection of the drop-down menu 1302, a menu list ofselectable inputs 1402 is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 14. Any oneof the selectable inputs in the menu list 1402 may be selected in anysuitable manner. Inputs that are already associated with queries may beremoved from the drop-down menu or may not be selectable so that aconflict in which more than one query is associated with a single input,does not occur. Upon selection of the drop-down menu 1304 shown in FIG.13, a menu list of selectable queries 1404 is displayed as illustratedin FIG. 14. Any one of the selectable queries in the menu list ofselectable queries 1404 may be selected in any suitable manner.

The associated tactile output may also be selected for the query. Asillustrated, a menu list of selectable integer numbers 1306 may bedisplayed upon selection of the pull-down menu 1228 (shown in FIG. 12)associated with the weak output. A similar menu list may be displayedupon selection of the pull-down menu 1230 associated with the strongoutput. The tactile output may also be pre-set or default values may beassociated. The pre-set or default tactile output may also be dependenton the query.

When the input, query and the tactile output are each selected in thepresent example, the input and associated query is added by selectionof, for example, the “add” key 1308. Alternatively, the user maydiscontinue and exit without adding the input and associated query byselection of, for example, a “cancel” key 1310.

When an input is received at the portable electronic device 100, theinput may be associated with the query at the portable electronic device100 based on the associations set at the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100. Alternatively, input signals may be sent fromthe portable electronic device 100 to the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100 where the signals are associated with thequery.

To delete an input associated with a query, a user may select the query,for example by highlighting the query in any suitable manner, followedby selection of the delete query option 1226.

Reference is made to FIG. 15 to describe a method of controlling theportable electronic device 100 utilizing the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100. Communications are established at 1502. Whenchanges are made to the associations between the queries and input at1504, the changes are sent to the portable electronic device at 1506.The changes may be detected in any suitable manner.

Reference is again made to FIG. 10 as well as FIG. 11 to describe anexample of a method of controlling the portable electronic device 100.According to the present example, a touch on the sensors 114 is detectedat 1002 when the user places a hand over the outer surface of theportable electronic device 100, in contact with the sensors 114. Thetouch on multiple sensors 114 is matched to a query 1004 for the numberof unread email messages and the associated query is determined. Thenumber of unread email messages, or messages marked unopened, isobtained at 1006 by sending the query to the handheld electroniccommunication device 1100 and the handheld electronic communicationdevice 1100 responds with the number of unread email messages. For thepurpose of this example, the number is 14. The response number istherefore greater than zero at 1008 and the process continues at 1010.Touch contact with the sensors is maintained and the touch is stilldetected at 1010. The actuator 120 is actuated utilizing the strongmagnitude to provide a relatively strong output compared to the weakoutput at 1012 and the actuator count is incremented by 5. The processcontinues by actuating the actuator 120 a discrete number of times untilthe actuator count is equal to 14.

In an alternative example, a peripheral device may also be utilized toreceive an input, such as a touch or gesture on the peripheral deviceand to send data to a second electronic device. The second electronicdevice provides the response. Thus, the second electronic devicereceives input in the form of data from the peripheral device andcarries out the method of FIG. 10.

The electronic device is described as a wristwatch for the purpose ofproviding an example. The electronic device 100 is not limited to awatch. For example, the electronic device may be a wristband, anecklace, a device worn around the upper arm, or a handheld deviceincluding a handheld device that may be hidden in a closed hand. Theelectronic device may also be a device that is hidden under clothing orplaced in a pocket and the input is not limited to input utilizing touchsensors. Instead, the input may be received via force sensors or abutton on the device.

According to another example, the actuator may be a vibrator device suchas a vibrator motor to cause vibration of the portable electronicdevice. In this example, the vibrator motor is controlled to provide anumber of discrete vibrations. Thus, rather than a piezo actuator, thevibrator motor is turned on for short, discrete periods of time toprovide the tactile output.

Other actuators may also be utilized. For example, a voice-coiltransducer may be utilized, an electrostimulation transducer, solenoid,or any other suitable actuator may be utilized to actuate and therebyprovide tactile output a discrete number of times.

Advantageously, tactile output is provided from a portable electronicdevice in contact with the skin of a user to provide information to theuser without requiring viewing of a display. Such information may beuseful, for example, when a user is in a meeting, driving a vehicle, orin any other instance in which viewing of a display is difficult,dangerous, or disruptive. Control of tactile output in touch-sensitivedevices is provided as the tactile output may be discontinued by theuser.

According to one aspect, a method of controlling an electronic deviceincludes detecting receipt of an input, determining a response number inresponse to receipt of the input, and actuating an actuator of theelectronic device a discrete integer number of times based on theresponse number.

According to another aspect, an electronic device is provided. Theelectronic device includes a housing, an actuator disposed in thehousing, and a processor configured to control actuation of the actuatorto cause the electronic device to detect receipt of an input, determinea response number in response to receipt of the input, and actuate anactuator of the electronic device a discrete integer number of timesbased on the response number.

According to another aspect, a portable electronic device includes shortrange communications for communicating with a second electronic device,a first input device to receive a first input, an actuator to providetactile output, and a processor connected to the short rangecommunications, the first input device, and the actuator, to send afirst query to the second electronic device in response to receipt ofthe first input and actuate the actuator to output a response.

According to another aspect, a method of controlling a portableelectronic device utilizing a second electronic device includesestablishing communications with the portable electronic device, andassociating a first input at the portable electronic device with a firstquery for information stored on the second electronic device such thatthe information is received for providing tactile output at the portableelectronic device in response to receipt of the first input at theportable electronic device.

While the embodiments described herein are directed to particularimplementations of the actuating assembly and the portable electronicdevice and the, it will be understood that modifications and variationsmay occur to those skilled in the art. All such modifications andvariations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device comprising: shortrange communications for communicating with a second electronic device;a first input device to receive a first input; an actuator to providetactile output; and a processor connected to the short rangecommunications, the first input device, and the actuator, to send afirst query to the second electronic device in response to receipt ofthe first input at the first input device, receive, from the secondelectronic device, data responsive to the first query, and actuate theactuator utilizing the data received from the second electronic deviceto output a response to the first input.
 2. The portable electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein the query is associated with theinput.
 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one of the query and the input is selectable.
 4. Theportable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe query and the input is selectable utilizing the second electronicdevice.
 5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, whereina plurality of inputs which include the first input, are each associatedwith a respective one of a plurality of queries which include the firstquery.
 6. A portable electronic device comprising: short rangecommunications for communicating with a second electronic device; afirst input device to receive a first input; an actuator to providetactile output; and a processor connected to the short rangecommunications, the first input device, and the actuator, to send afirst query to the second electronic device in response to receipt ofthe first input and actuate the actuator to output a response, wherein aplurality of inputs which include the first input, are each associatedwith a respective one of a plurality of queries which include the firstquery, wherein the plurality of inputs are associated with therespective one of the plurality of queries utilizing the secondelectronic device.
 7. The portable electronic device according to claim5, wherein the plurality of inputs are received at a plurality of inputdevices.
 8. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, whereinthe plurality of input devices comprise at least one of touch-sensitivesurface, a button, an accelerometer, and a force sensor.
 9. The portableelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises apiezoelectric actuator.
 10. The portable electronic device according toclaim 9, wherein the piezoelectric actuator strikes a surface whenactuated.
 11. The portable electronic device according to claim 10,wherein at least two magnitudes of tactile output are utilized torepresent at least two outputs.
 12. A method of controlling a portableelectronic device utilizing a second electronic device, the methodcomprising: establishing communications with the portable electronicdevice; and associating a first input at the portable electronic devicewith a first query for information stored on the second electronicdevice such that the information is received for providing tactileoutput at the portable electronic device in response to receipt of thefirst input at the portable electronic device, wherein the tactileoutput comprises a first tactile output and a second tactile output andthe first tactile output and the second tactile output are associatedwith respective integers.
 13. The method according to claim 12,comprising associating the tactile output provided at the portableelectronic device with the query.
 14. The method according to claim 12,wherein establishing communications comprises establishing short-rangecommunications.
 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein thetactile output comprises tactile output provided by a piezoelectricactuator.
 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the firsttactile output and the second tactile output are associated withrespective integers by associating a first magnitude of the firsttactile output with a first integer and associating a second magnitudeof the second tactile output with a second integer.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein associating the first input comprisesassociating a plurality of inputs which include the first input withrespective queries for information including the first query.
 18. Themethod according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of inputs areassociated with respective queries by matching the respective queries tothe inputs.
 19. The method according to claim 12, comprising addingfurther associations of further queries with respective further inputs.20. The method according to claim 12, comprising selecting the firstinput and selecting the associated first query for information on thesecond electronic device.